How to Cope With Dental Residency Expenses

Graduating from dental school isn’t enough to secure a job as a dentist. There are several steps along the way that provide hands-on experience for dental students. While students must pay for college, it’s not all about tuition. There are other experiences and expenses involved to help future dentists learn their trade. These include a residency and board examinations. While the training and credentials are valuable to licensure and employment, they are also costly.

Residency Search Before a dentist can become licensed, candidates must do at least one residency program. Like a medical doctor residency, the individual chooses which practice and location would best suit them. The practice then selects their favorite candidates from the pool. Conducting a search for a residency spot may be a simple choice for some locals who don’t want to stray far from home or where they attend college, but for most students it is an intense undertaking. Applicants must first find out what is available and where, what the qualifying requirements are and what the deadlines and screening processes are for each position of interest. The student’s specialty or main focus of study should be encompassed in the residency opportunity. For example, the dental student may be interested in pediatric dentistry or working with those who have disabilities.

Residency and Relocation Loan While students may use a government loan to pay for tuition and room and board, there are many expenses related to dental residencies that are simply not covered by these grants and loans. A private loan can be used to foot the bill for interview expenses, relocation, board examination fees and study programs. In some cases, the loan will have to be paid back three years after graduation from dental school. Students can borrow enough money to pay for interviews, relocation, board examinations and residency searches without having to hold down a job first to pay for the experience. Private alternative loans do not restrict the particular uses for the money.

Interviews When it comes to residency programs, the slots are quite competitive. All candidates in the later stages of selection will have to meet their interviewers in person. They will need formal attire for the visit and interview process. For some, this may mean traveling halfway across the country for the opportunity. In other cases, the interviews may be done by videoconference. Both are expensive endeavors that college students can rarely afford without assistance. While parents may pay for it, private loans may be the only other alternative to passing up a rare experience.

Relocation Moving to a new city can be exciting for the new resident, but it also includes expenses such as work uniforms and supplies, furniture and possibly a car for transportation. Oftentimes, students do not have the extra money on hand for a security deposit for the apartment or the money for basic necessities. Private alternative loans are helpful for these added costs.

Board Examination Before taking a position, dental students must take and pass their board certification examinations. There are fees involved just to sit for them. Some candidates take special courses to help in preparation for this test to ensure high scores.

A low interest loan can be used to pay for any and all of these expenses associated with becoming a dentist.
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